Protect planning permission rights: Having a say when buildings change their use.

LIVING STREETS is organising a national campaign to protect the rights of communities to have a say on any planning applications that might turn our local shops and pubs into something new.

These rights were exercised in Hedon earlier this year when local people and the Town Council objected to proposals to turn an empty shop into a fast-food take away. See Hot food take away sparks controversy.

The Government's new Localism Bill strives to shift power from central government back into the hands of individuals, communities and town halls. Yet without immediate public support the services that you walk to in your neighbourhood may be at risk.

The Bill is reviewing the planning rules for when buildings change their use. Unbelievably - says Living Streets - a bank can be turned into a betting shop or pawnbroker without planning permission or community say so.

Living Streets, a campaigning charity, is asking people take a few moments to support their campaign and write to Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, to ensure that radical changes of use to local shops, pubs and services are not passed without planning permission or communities having a say.

Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets, said "The government says it wants the planning system to be firmly rooted in the local community. Empowering neighbourhood forums to have their say on permitted development would be a real step forward towards doing this"

Amendments to the Localism Bill are currently being considered that, if passed, would enable communities to decide locally whether or not to extend planning protection to valued local services, such as pubs, ensuring that planning permission is required for changing their use.

NOTE: Living Streets is a registered charity that is campaigns for the rights of pedestrians. They aim work to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets, where people want to walk. They want to ensure that every community can enjoy vibrant streets and public spaces.